That looks good and would be doable with a regular tube bender. What's the project?

Jaysin

66 El Camino (sp?) Pro-Street.

I need to get an NHRA Rule book so that I can complete this quote.
I've already got the job but I have to make it fit in a budget, which is doable BUT I also want to set it up so that should he want to hit the 8's from the 10'z it just 'Add' the required parts, rather then cut out what is there and rebuild. So I am shopping around for both ideas and prices.
I was surprised that to just buy a rear clip form any of the big boys was the same number of (+/- a little) $$$$!
Price fixing

E

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When did empirical knowledge get replaced by a theoretical education?

I don't think it is actual price fixing, like they all agree to not undercut each other, but I do think they shop each other an make sure they're in the right ballpark.

66 El Camino, should be fun but I have never liked any of the car-trucks; Ferd, Chev or Dodge. If I need a truck I'll buy a truck and the same goes for a car but the two together just don't do it for me. Well, except the Subaru Brats, but that isn't really in the same category. I did the final welding on a El Camino that got a four link rear and it looked like a pain to fit all the stuff under the low bed floor. If I remember right too they had to remove the compartment that is under the bed floor at the front. Usually that's an easy thing to do though as they are almost all rotted out. I can't remember what year it was though, I think maybe 64 or 65.

I like the El Camino/Ranchero platform for what it is; if one fell into my stable like a 68 Ranchero joined the stable I would not be unhappy and I have a 429 to drop in

Back halving these as like doing the same with a station wagon because that is the base platform they were built on and yes they can be a PITA (not: People Eating Tasty Animals) to cut and fit. Fortunately violating the bed floor is not an issue as the tubs will eat up a bunch of space. The BT picture above is a 24" width.

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When did empirical knowledge get replaced by a theoretical education?

I thought the mitered rectangular tube is stronger the mandrel bent stuff? My neighbor was a well known chassis builder here in NJ for many years. He built a bunch record holding 10" tire cars back when they were popular. He's the one that mentioned it too me.

I thought the mitered rectangular tube is stronger the mandrel bent stuff? My neighbor was a well known chassis builder here in NJ for many years. He built a bunch record holding 10" tire cars back when they were popular. He's the one that mentioned it too me.

DOM because the bent option is the wrinkle bend that was used back b4 DOM became viable. Part of the design is looks and IMO the DOM bent stuff looks way more gooder
Then again a layout like I did in BT could look nice too! Though I would do it as a 1.5-D lower tube and a 1.75-D upper tube.
Main thing is the budget and the rules.

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When did empirical knowledge get replaced by a theoretical education?

I like the looks of your round tube design. I have also looked at the Art Morrison stuff at a show, and it's really nice. The bend quality on their rectangular stuff is very good. No wrinkles or sucked in walls.

I'm not sure at what ET an SFI certification is required. I know those specs are pretty specific about tube size, placement, and material, so that might be the only thing that would derail your idea.

It's been a little while since I have built an NHRA car, but from what I remember no compression bending is allowed. Now I think they make a few exceptions on square and rectangle stuff, but not on round.
I would recommend purchasing the SFI specs for what you are looking to do. That is what pretty much all the bodies go by. http://sfifoundation.com/drag-racing-chassis/

It's been a little while since I have built an NHRA car, but from what I remember no compression bending is allowed. Now I think they make a few exceptions on square and rectangle stuff, but not on round.
I would recommend purchasing the SFI specs for what you are looking to do. That is what pretty much all the bodies go by. http://sfifoundation.com/drag-racing-chassis/

I don't do this often enough to bother staying current, so, yes, I have requested the rule book.

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When did empirical knowledge get replaced by a theoretical education?

just finished reading the NHRA rule book and at the first cut there is virtually nothing about frame specs, Roll Bar/Cage there are pages but frame you can't pressurize it and a minimum Ground Clearance.
Seems kind of like... you would define the frame... that you require the Roll Cage to be welded to but there is really nothing.

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I'll read it again later

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When did empirical knowledge get replaced by a theoretical education?

just finished reading the NHRA rule book and at the first cut there is virtually nothing about frame specs, Roll Bar/Cage there are pages but frame you can't pressurize it and a minimum Ground Clearance.
Seems kind of like... you would define the frame... that you require the Roll Cage to be welded to but there is really nothing.

E

I'll read it again later

I don't remember any material specifics either. There was a specific no stick welding, but can't remember anything else. Its only been 20 years though lol.

If I was to do it again I would do it in round tube prostock style. Two sets of diagonal bars crossed braced like I have now but hitting further back on the rear rails.
My car is Chris Alston 2x3 rails circa 92'. There is some wrinkling on the outsides but that was pretty par back then when I was 12 ha-ha.